Deputy coroner: Death at GE in Lawrence Park investigated as suicide

A 57-year-old Erie man was found dead at his work station inside Building 20 on Friday at GE Transportation in Lawrence Park.

Erie County Deputy Coroner Korac Timon confirmed the death today and said there has not yet been a ruling on it, but that it was being investigated as a suicide.

Timon would not identify the man pending notification of family.

Authorities were called to the plant Friday at about 7:23 p.m. on a report of a hanging from a crane at the building.

GE Transportation spokeswoman Jennifer Erickson said the victim was a man employed at the plant. Timon said the man had worked there for more than 30 years.

"Our thoughts are with the employee's family and co-workers. Professionals from GE's Employee Assistance Program will be on-site this weekend and available to help support employees during this difficult time,'' Erickson said in an e-mail.

Timon said the man's body was found by a co-worker, less than an hour after the last time he had been seen alive. While no official ruling has been made, "it is not a work-related accident," he said.